Should The City Feel Some Obligation To Invest In Our Zoo? ...Invest In Our Lions?

I know this title, and much of what I've previously written has suggested a lot from The City, ...but has it really? 

I’m just interpreting information as it's been documented.

While forming what it was I wanted to illustrate in this post, there was still a question that has been a head-shaker for over a decade.  It concerns the Lease Agreement between The City and the San Francisco Zoological Society. 

I worked pretty long and mentally hard for a day to uncover and understand near exactly why Our Zoo has seemingly been starved of funding from The City.  Turns out while it would have been the morally decent thing to do, to have increased the management fee every year with inflation, it seems the agreement was not that simple.  So, bear with me as I drag you down the rabbit hole a bit, I think it's necessary.  After that, the true goal of this post is revealed, and I ask the question, Will The City Be Our Lions Savior?

Where the financial aspects of the Lease are concerned, particularly the ultra curious fact that there has essentially been no change to the Management Fee the Zoo receives from The City, in thirty-three years,  I have used Chatgpt to dig into resources I might not have found, and also in this case make some mathematical calculations.

A couple months ago, I asked Chatgpt to approximate what the current Management Fee would have been if there had been consistent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increases.  It reported $9.44 million.  I asked it for the yearly percentage.  Then thought to ask it to breakdown the dollar amount by year.   I was shocked when it gave me the amount of an estimated $80 million tally of what the increase amounts would have been since 1993.  

The question I realized while writing this, that I hadn't before, was formed out of a term used the other day in a chat, that reflected a document that would have come into play in reference to the COLA increases, at the time of the Lease signing.  I can't find my note, but it basically states the parameters of the increases.  

Considering a nagging point in all of this has been, Why hasn't there been any significant increases?  As well as, what party would have been responsible for initiating that conversation?  So, as I started this post I wondered if COLA even existed in 1993, and maybe it didn't and that's where the issue lies.  So I asked, Was there a specific year that San Francisco started Cost Of Living increases?  

That question needed defining of the situation.  That definition prompted further digging, which revealed that there was a 1993 negotiation document that contained a fee adjustment provision...

"The City would provide the Society $4 million per year for the first five years. Then after the first five years, in any subsequent renewal, the City's annual payment would be “re-negotiated and indexed based on cost of living or Civil Service salary standardization, whichever is greater”, subject to approval by the Recreation and Park Commission and Board of Supervisors".

So, without going into extreme detail because dissecting the Lease is not the purpose of this post, the synopsis is, there was seemingly one increase to $4.12 mil, an amount that may or may not have reflected a COLA amount.  That amount lasted many years, until it reverted back to $4 mil.  Why, is unverified.  Also unverified is, Why that amount never changed again.  

I bring this all up to clarify my words from a couple previous posts.  

My post from September 20th ends with this paragraph...

"So, had there been Care, Oversight, and Cost Of Living (COLA) increases to the management fee, those extra millions could have greatly helped these three species to each have appropriate homes at Our Zoo, and we wouldn't be losing Our Chimpanzees and Lions now."

While I believe all that to be true, it has now been clarified to the point that the actuality of the Zoo having had "extra millions", may not have come to fruition unless the Lease stated there would be an automatic COLA increase yearly, which was my initial interpretation.  I logically would not have thought there would be such intricate contract language regarding something that seemed straightforward to me and that would frankly require approval from RecPark and BOS.  So, those extra millions would still be a legitimate factor in a perfect scenario, which this is not.  

In an earlier post I wrote,...

"If Zoo leadership manages to keep it together til the Loan is paid off, the City should put forth a bond for minimum $80 Mil, to make-up for it, so the Zoo can move forward on the long list of upgrading.

If The City had paid closer attention to Our Zoo, and the group they allowed to manage it, coupled with Cost of Living increases, it would certainly not be in the position it is today.

While on the money factor, let's note, the blame for no Lease amendments over time, does solely lay on the Zoo Board.  No alleged attempts has allowed the City to get away with letting the Zoo fall into despair."

While I stand by my assessment of lack of oversight on the part of The City, after now learning of the fee increase guidelines, and that one curious years long miniscule increase, and then the subsequent reduction of it, I have no idea how to accurately read what efforts to increase the fee the Society made. The situation is not as simple as it seems it should have been.

That all said, do I think The City should do something in good faith to correct the contractual outline that seemingly made it difficult for there to be an adequate annual fee increase to keep up with rising costs?  Absolutely!  Should it be reflective of that technically hypothetical $80 mil?  Or should it just be as simple as funding a new Lion enclosure?

Moving past all that, let's get into what The City can do for Our Zoo now.

In the determination of the Loan to the Zoo from The City, Supervisor Myrna Melgar sought statistics for three scenarios that could present in the future. The costs projected in Scenarios 2&3 are by my estimation, greater than half of what I'm suggesting, and over three times as much as in Scenario 1.

                                SF Standard April 7, 2026

The numbers presented here are far more costly than funding some projects that would invest in the future of Our Zoo.  As shown above, The City has already had to contemplate enormously expensive alternatives.  If The City is going to run the figures for these scenarios regarding the Zoo's future, Why shouldn't one of those scenarios be investing in the Zoo's actual future and the Animals that already live there? 

Our Zoo is currently facing the loss of two anchor species.  Our Lions and Chimpanzees were among the first species of Animal Residents to Our Zoo. Shouldn't The City consider making a meaningful investment in the place it owns?   An investment in Our Zoo's anchor species, is an investment in Our Zoo's future.

Considering the information above, in my opinion, The City as owner of the Zoo, and as shown in each Scenario, particularly Scenario 1, is in a difficult position themselves.  It is seemingly in their best interest to invest in the Zoo.  Their Zoo.

How does that investment look to me?  It looks like three things.  

1.  Fund the construction of a New Enclosure for Our Lions. They are in immediate need, and probably the lesser cost of these two.

2.  Fund the raze of Triple Grotto site and new build of the front facing portion (enclosure and new night quarters) for Our Chimpanzees.  Also in need, but they are secure where they currently are. 

3. Renovate an existing enclosure for Our Chimpanzee boys, while construction on the Triple Grotto site is completed.  To be used for a future Primate afterwards.

Obviously if only the Need in first place happens, I would be very happy. That said, doing all three would make me extremely happy, and show that The City is willing to not only invest in Our Zoo, but in the Animals that currently live here.  It says a lot about the Care for Keeping Our Zoo's Current Residents, home at Our Zoo.

While I am most certainly flat-out suggesting The City fund a New Lion Enclosure, I am also proposing a City Bond, which I mentioned in a previous post.  This would obviously not be the now hypothetical thirty-three year void of $80 mil in back COLA, but drastically lower, and possibly less than half that amount. 

If passed, it would include if deemed, a payback of The City's front money for a new Lion enclosure build, which is immediately needed, Rebuild on Triple Grotto site for Chimpanzees, and the temporary housing renovation for the Chimp boys.  As stated above, this amount of both gift investment and bond, could look by my guess to be approximately one third of Scenario 1, and approximately half of Scenarios 2&3.  

The Zoo is obviously not in the financial position to build Our Lions a new enclosure, or even contemplate where funds for the larger endeavor that will one day in the near future be the rebuild on the Triple Grotto site.  The later that will ensure Chimpanzees stay in Our Zoo.  

The Zoo/Board should have been fundraising the last year for Our Lions, but has seemingly done nothing to keep them here.  Any large scale fundraising is seemingly only concentrated on funding their own Panda want, which is apparently The City's want as well.  The City could fund projects for Lions and Chimpanzees at what would be a large fraction of the projected alternative scenario costs, and/or initiate a special election for a bond that would specifically go to these two projects that would ensure Lions and Chimpanzees Stay At Our Zoo.   

Pandas aren't the only way forward, keeping two species Our Zoo shouldn't lose is part of the path forward.  If the Society can make it happen, then bring Pandas, but don't make their arrival be the end of the story for the Animals who are already here, and their species that have been here since Our Zoo opened over ninety-seven years ago.  Take Care At Home.  

I believe it's essential to preserve that these two anchor species should have a future at Our Zoo, and not in the undetermined distant future, but right now, and with the Animals we already know and love.  

The City investing in the future of Our Zoo by funding new homes for Our Lions and Chimpanzees, is not only the morally right thing to do, it shows Care.

Despite popular belief, or wishful thinking, regarding how much Our Zoo going public wants Pandas, it is seemingly plausible to say, from the comments I have read on various social media forums, the overwhelming abundance of love is not only for taking care of current residents, but Keeping Our Lions over acquiring Pandas.

None of this is meant to hate on Pandas.  I think the majority of the population loves Pandas, and would love to see them, including me, but not at this time, and not at the expense of Our Lions.  I have long repeated my motto for Our Zoo, "Take Care At Home".  They need to take care of Our beloved Lions and Chimpanzees.  Keeping them here is not just in their best interest, it's in the best interest of Our Zoo and City.   Rehoming these two species outside Our Zoo, is not beneficial to Our Zoo's future without them.

It's necessary to note that I understand that the loan agreement has it's own stipulations and milestones that need to be met for oversight purposes, and I agree that is something that should happen.  In fact I think moving forward the Board of Supervisors should be the oversight for Our Zoo, since the RecPark has seemingly never taken that responsibility seriously, to the detriment of Our Zoo.  

That said, that Loan and it's agreement, is a completely different situation. That money has no stipulation for how it's spent, so Zoo management needs to use it in a way that ensures responsible payback.  

An investment by The City would be designated funds that invest directly in specific projects.  Like the Loan, if necessary this could also be monitored directly by City oversight.  

When news broke in 2024 of the Lion House being used for Pandas, a New Enclosure for Lions was originally included.  Someone needs to follow through on that plan.  

The Zoological Society has failed to make good on that promise to Our Lions.

Will The City be Our Lions Savior?

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Blog Owner Note:  I hope this reads ok.  It took days of staring at a good portion of paragraphs, trying to organize how to fit everything.  Thank you to all who made it to the end!

> Previous Post:

This Years Fundraiser Should Have Been Called LionFest

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2026/09/this-years-fundraiser-should-have-been.html

> Related Posts:  Use Search tool in upper left corner, keyword "Lions" , "Chimpanzees" , "Chimps" , "Pandas"

> Comments:  Note that Anonymous Comments are accepted.  I moderate all comments before publishing.  If you are using this form for a non-publish correspondence, please note "Personal" on it.  Thank you for your participation and/or feedback.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I used to use (search) labels, but too often forget.  I started noting "Hot Topic" in title, but fell lax on that.  Now I'm just going to add labels, keywords, etc., here at the bottom with hashtags.  Does it help in searches, who knows.

#SanFrancisco , #SanFranciscoZoo , #Zoos #SanFranciscoZoologicalSociety  , #SanFranciscoZooCEODirectorCassandraCostello , #FormerSanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #FormerSanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed , #SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie , #AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence , #Pandas , #Bison ,  #Gorillas ,  #Lemurs , #Lions

This Years Fundraiser Should Have Been Called LionFest

 

Considering we are losing Our Lions because there is no money to build them a new enclosure, Why isn't next month's ZooFest fundraiser called LionFest?

Our Lions are set to be rehomed, because their home can not be upgraded to accommodate their aging health needs, because their home is being completely renovated for Pandas.  

Unfortunately for all of us, and especially Our Lions, there is apparently no stopping the Zoo's Plan to bring in Pandas.  So, what could have been an upgrade to their current home, is now building a new home.

So, what's the solution at this point in time?  In my opinion, it's raise money to build Jasiri and Lulu a new home here at Our Zoo.  Their Zoo.

So, Why has the Zoo seemingly not even tried to raise funds for them?

That's a part of this whole situation that has never been addressed.  

So, ZooFest.  Shouldn't an annual fundraiser support causes in need?  Shouldn't they be themed to reflect the most needed?  I have never understood Why that has seemingly never happened when there is no shortage of needs?

I first thought about this when Our Chimpanzees were set to move because their enclosure was deemed too outdated by the AZA.  At the time I learned about this horror, it was a couple months before ZooFest for that year.  That was 2015.  

It really bothered me that not one ZooFest fundraiser in the two years preceding, was ever dedicated to building the Chimps a new home?  In 2013, the theme was "Hard Hats and Tails", noting "a tribute to the many exciting developments at the Zoo".  In 2014, it was "A Night On Enchanted Hill", referring to William Randolph Hearst's estate at Hearst castle.  In 2015, it was "Celebrating Champions", relating to the San Francisco Giants.

I again thought about the annual fundraiser when the Chimps "outdated" enclosure unfortunately became Our Orangutans new <cough> home.  I think about it every year, when no ZooFest is dedicated to building them a new home.  That ancient pit with two tiny concrete islands, is where they have continued to live for the last five years, while every ZooFest since two years before their arrival has never been themed to raise funds for them.  

I'm sorry, maybe the thought process for picking themes is lost on me, because not one of the ZooFest themes I've read about seems to reflect anything to do with raising funds for the Zoo and it's Animals Needs.  

Now, as Our Lions are set to be transferred out, because there is no money to build them a new enclosure, advertising for next month's ZooFest has been continuous in recent weeks. The theme, "Carnaval Under The Canopy".  

There is absolutely NO mention of Our Lions.  

Again I wonder, Why isn't the theme of a fundraising event dedicated to raising funds for a specific need?  In the case of this year in particular, a new home for Our Lions?  

I did a post August 16, titled, "Lion Fundraising That Will Never Happen - An Idea And A Rant".  At the time, just over a month ago, this year's annual Zoo fundraiser had not been announced.  I proposed a Lion specific fundraiser to build Our Lions a new home.  The idea was one I have had a long affinity for, and pitched years ago.  Much like The City's own Hearts, Painted Lion Statues would be the heart of this campaign. Considering there would be an initial cost for the Statue forms themselves, maybe ZooFest can raise money to fund the start of this campaign?  Maybe it would prompt The City to fund a new Lion enclosure (yea, that's coming in my next post!).  Maybe The Zoo could just raise some funds period and show they care to make an effort to raise funds to Keep Our Lions.

Could Our Zoo still come through for Jasiri and Lulu?  

Could this fantasy become reality?  Our Zoo adding a highlighted portion to this years ZooFest that is dedicated to raising funds to build Our Lions a new home here at Our San Francisco Zoo?  Announcing to their Donors that despite previously saying they would have to find them a new home in another accredited facility, that they want to try and raise funds to build them a new enclosure so they can Keep Our Lions here.  

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> Previous Post:

How Things Could Have Been Different For Our Animals With Care, Oversight, & COLA 

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2026/09/how-things-could-have-been-different.html

> Related Posts:  Use Search tool in upper left corner, keyword "Lions" 

> Comments:  Note that Anonymous Comments are accepted.  I moderate all comments before publishing.  If you are using this form for a non-publish correspondence, please note "Personal" on it.  Thank you for your participation and/or feedback.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I used to use (search) labels, but too often forget.  I started noting "Hot Topic" in title, but fell lax on that.  Now I'm just going to add labels, keywords, etc., here at the bottom with hashtags.  Does it help in searches, who knows.

#SanFrancisco , #SanFranciscoZoo , #Zoos #SanFranciscoZoologicalSociety  , #SanFranciscoZooCEODirectorCassandraCostello , #FormerSanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #FormerSanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed , #SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie , #AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence , #Pandas , #Bison ,  #Gorillas ,  #Lemurs , #Lions

How Things Could Have Been Different For Our Animals With Care, Oversight, & COLA

A day late posting this.  *Yesterday was actually Friday.  

*Yesterday I woke up with thoughts for posts still swirling in my mind.  Since my Zoo visit on Wednesday, when I started to feel a storm brewin' in me to continue fighting for Our Lions. So many words that started forming paragraphs, and titles for posts surfacing out of them.  By yesterday, I felt it was time to start sorting through them, as I was getting overwhelmed and felt a shutdown approaching.  

In the midst of it, I glanced at Messenger and a friend had messaged me, sharing this post from Erie Zoo.  Our Ollie's little brother Otis, who still lives there with their Mama Dasa, had sent a Birthday Greeting to his brother!

Such a Sweet thing for Erie to do.  So far, only Ollie's birth home (Erie), and the Orangutan SSP have been the only ones to acknowledge Ollie's Birthday yesterday.  His current home here in SF has not.

 

Happy 17th Birthday Ollie!

When that message had come through, I had actually just been making notes about Ollie and Amoi's arrival here in 2019. Their heartbreaking and disturbing story here was just beginning as Our Chimpanzees were about to start a new chapter of their life, closing the door on their own upsetting saga.  So, as Our Lions plight is still in limbo, I was thinking about how they are all connected.

Much of this will not be news, but a rehash of how we got to this situation.  The details of these three species journey, must be repeatedly documented, especially for new readers to understand.

The disrespect connects as far back as 1997.  While it was a year to celebrate as Our Zoo welcomed three Lion Cubs from South Africa, two who would become Our Jasiri's Grandparents.  The following month the Zoo was awarded a City bond of $48 million.  In their campaign, the Zoo used the Chimpanzees as the literal poster children to gain votes.  They touted a new enclosure for the Chimps that would take them and the (then) Orangutans, off the thirty+ year old concrete islands of Triple Grotto that they were living on and move them into a new exhibit called The Great Ape Forest.  That project was pushed further and further down the to-do list and by 2007 was never heard about again.  

Zoo Officials chose to prioritize and use those funds and additional multi-millions raised by the Zoological Society, on non-Animal projects, and new exhibits, rather than the Needs of their longest term Great Ape residents.  Research shows that funds continued to be earmarked for the Great Ape Forest over ten years, but so far the trail has not sorted what happened to those funds.

In 2013, when one of our senior Chimpanzees passed away leaving only three left, the Zoo was cautioned by the Chimpanzee SSP.  They were basically told the group size needed to enlarge, but they would not be able to receive additional Chimps because the enclosure was outdated.  They needed to build a new enclosure or rehome the Chimps.  The Zoo quietly chose the later, as they hatched their plan behind closed doors to ship out the Chimps, and bring in Orangutans. In 2015, that plan was foiled by public outrage and the Zoo kept the Chimpanzees and built them a new home.  They took two years to start that project, I believe waiting for another one to pass away so they would have a no choice reason to rehome and continue on with the Orangutan plan.  The Chimps gave the Zoo the middle finger and waited them out, moving into the completed Dayroom the first week of May 2019.  May was a big month, the new Chimp Yard was done and two Orangutans arrived, with no dedicated enclosure.  The Orangutans would go on to randomly rotate into the Chimps new Yard, but otherwise be confined to the caged tubes of the Skytrail as their only outside access space.  Two years later, with no animal feature upgrades to Triple Grotto, Our Orangutans were tossed into that same ancient enclosure, to live on the tiny concrete islands that were deemed unacceptable for Chimpanzees.  How the Orangutan SSP allowed this to happen, I have no idea.

I hate to even say this, because I love Our Orangutans, and I adore my friendship with Amoi, who never fails to blow me kisses, but I wish they never came to Our Zoo.  Theirs lives would have been better some place else.  Watching them multiple times a week in those tubes for two years with their faces pressed against the mesh as they looked down at the Chimpanzees moving freely in their enclosure, was soul crushing.  I'm tearing up as I write this, the vision fresh in my mind.   

The lack of caring, misappropriation of bond funds, priority, and and subsequent lack of post bond fundraising, left Our Chimpanzees living in an ancient enclosure on tiny concrete islands for twenty-two additional years after their needs were probably what got the bond awarded.  

The lack of caring, and sheer selfishness, brought Orangutans here when the former Zoo CEO/Director Tanya Peterson and Board didn't have an appropriate enclosure to house them in, and they never made any attempts to raise funds for them.  Five years later they remain in that same enclosure.  On those same islands.  Ollie and Amoi did not, and do not deserve this.

And Yes, I'm clumping Tanya and the Board together from now on.  Whether they knew what she was doing or not, their lack of monitoring their chosen manager, holds them complicit in all her Zoo related actions.

Note when I use the words lack of caring, that is directed at management, either with a CEO, the Board, and/or The City. This is not reflective of how the Animals have been treated and cared for by Animal Care Staff.  Animal Care Staff goes beyond what obstacles they are given to work with when providing for the Animals in their care.

Last year, Our remaining Chimpanzee from the original three seniors, passed away.  The Zoo, now under a new CEO/Director Cassandra Costello (and same old Board) announced that the three that were brought here to enlarge our troop, to become a family, in what was alleged to be their forever home, would now be rehomed to other Zoos.  Upon their departure, Our Orangutans will move into the Chimpanzees home.  It became very clear that this was always the plan.  I will cry tears of joy seeing the Orangutans out of Triple Grotto, but those tears will be mixed with the unfairness this is to the Chimps.  

There has been no caring by Officials in what either of these species has gone through (Orangutans), or will go through (Chimpanzees).  The three Chimps that came here to what was supposed to be their forever home, do not deserve this.  The Zoo/Board had six years to raise funds to build the Orangutans an enclosure and they didn't.

Chatting with a friend about this whole connection, their response summed it up...

"So this whole thing with the Chimpanzees goes back 11 years. So Tanya was going to send them away and then changed her mind after some pushback by the public, only for the Zoo, under Cassandra, to reverse course a decade later."

Exactly.  

In 2025, a year after the Panda Plan was announced, the Zoo submitted plans for renovating the Lion House and Grottos for Pandas, and for a new enclosure for Lions, since they were being displaced from their home.  A year later, (and under new leadership), in May of this year it was announced that the Zoo planned to rehome Our Lions.  

The official reasoning is the Lion House Grottos are not adequate for aging Lions.  The uneven terrain, and moat access could become a problem.  I agree it could.  That said, this might have been a very different story if Pandas had not come into play.  Although, considering Tanya's lack of caring, and the Board's lack of oversight, who knows what would have happened, and when, but right now, this is happening because in this moment in time, the Zoo needs the Lion House and Grottos cleared to prep for Pandas.  This, like with Our Chimpanzees/Orangutans, is a no money situation.  There is none for another Ape enclosure, and more time sensitive, none for a new enclosure for Our Lions.

The no money situation is not lost on me.  As well, it is certainly not lost on me that when the Pandas were announced two+ years, the Zoo had already known about the Lions future needs.  

Since then, there has been ZERO attempts to raise funds for a Lion specific enclosure.  I can only guess, but it's an educated guess, that all fundraising is centered on Pandas.  Tanya and the Board failed Our Lions by not immediately initiating funding for a new Lion enclosure.  Unfortunately, I have to say the same for current leadership.  It is a huge fail to not even try to raise funds to Keep Our Lions Home.  Jasiri and Lulu do not deserve this.

These evictions are not happening without blame.  Long-term mismanagement by former CEO Tanya Peterson, and the Zoological Society Board, and The City's expectation that Our Zoo should survive on a management fee amount from thirty-three years ago, that has very little value in today's spending power, and when that amount is reportedly eaten up by costs paid back to The City.

They have all played their part.   

And sadly, nothing has seemingly changed in the money department.  

So, had there been Care, Oversight, and Cost Of Living (COLA) increases to the management fee, those extra millions could have greatly helped these three species to each have appropriate homes at Our Zoo, and we wouldn't be losing Our Chimpanzees and Lions now.  

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> Previous Post:

The Anti-Zoo Propaganda Continues - What Our Zoo Board and The City Need To Do

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2026/09/the-anti-zoo-propaganda-continues-what.html

> Related Posts:  Use Search tool in upper left corner, keyword "Lions" , "Chimpanzees" , "Chimps" , "Orangutans"

> Comments:  Note that Anonymous Comments are accepted.  I moderate all comments before publishing.  If you are using this form for a non-publish correspondence, please note "Personal" on it.  Thank you for your participation and/or feedback.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I used to use (search) labels, but too often forget.  I started noting "Hot Topic" in title, but fell lax on that.  Now I'm just going to add labels, keywords, etc., here at the bottom with hashtags.  Does it help in searches, who knows.

#SanFrancisco , #SanFranciscoZoo , #Zoos #SanFranciscoZoologicalSociety  , #SanFranciscoZooCEODirectorCassandraCostello , #FormerSanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #FormerSanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed , #SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie , #AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence , #Pandas , #Bison ,  #Gorillas ,  #Lemurs , #Lions

 

The Anti-Zoo Propaganda Continues - What Our Zoo Board and The City Need To Do

Well, this is my Zoo day, and I've been moved to write this post.  The Zoo opens in twenty minutes and I'm still in bed.  Our Lions deserve this delay in my plans.  I will see them soon.

The In Defense Of Animals post has set-off an onslaught of posts by Animal pages and individuals on social media sites, who have grabbed this and ran with it.  While it irked me to keep seeing this over and over the last two days, it was this one I just saw, that got my tears flowing.

Maybe it was because I read the comments, maybe and more likely it's because I'm fed up with the bullshit that has led to this situation.  It has hurt my soul that Jasiri and Lulu are even in this position, and now seeing this photo (which is actually of Jasiri and his Mama Sukari), splashed all over social media, is making me physically sick.  

Reading judgemental comments from Anti-Zoo people who know nothing about these Lions saddens me.

This whole thing is because Our Zoo was left to squander under the mismanagement and negligence of the San Francisco Zoological Society Board and the (former) CEO/Director Tanya Peterson.  

The Board and Tanya treated Our Zoo like it was their own private club for at least the eighteen years that Peterson was at the helm.  Neither entity made any moves at major fundraising, and never planned for the needs of Our Animals who might need enclosure upgrades due to physical aging, like currently with Our Lions, or in the past due to aging enclosures themselves, like with Our Chimpanzees in 2015.

It was only due to public outrage that Our Chimps got a new home built at Our Zoo.  The Board and Tanya were just fine with sending senior Chimpanzees who lived at Our Zoo for near fifty years, packing from the only home they had ever known.  

This whole thing has also been caused by The City's lack of oversight of a facility it owns, and perpetual negligence to provide Our Zoo that bears it's name, with a Cost of Living increase to the annual management fee.  

There is no way a $4 million a year fee that was instituted thirty-three years ago, would have buying value as the years went on, especially in this town.  Once tech moved in and prices started to skyrocket, that should have signaled a change needed to happen.  Yet nothing changed.  Our Zoo continued on the next twenty-six years barely getting by, and NO ONE CARED.  

Financial breakdown of how the $4 million is distributed, shows most of it gets kicked back to The City.  How is this right?  How is this expected to sustain even basic needs?  

The Lease Agreement from 1993 essentially notes that the Zoological Society will cover all costs of running the Zoo.  For the purpose of this situation, that includes all upgrades to Animal enclosures and new builds.  How is that even possible?  Even with Board Member donations and major Fundraising, there would need to be additional money coming in.

I personally think there's a loophole regarding The City's responsibility to all existing buildings (mostly the WPA era ones) at the time of the lease signing, but I haven't investigated that any further.  

Back to how this affects the current situation.  Our Lions are set to transfer out because bottom line, there is no money to fund a new enclosure for them at Our Zoo.  That is regardless of future aging needs.  The Big Cat yards attached to the Lion House, are slated to be used for Pandas.  

This is not right.  

So, how does this wrong become right?

If The Board and The City are supporting bring in Pandas, they need to support providing for Our Lions on Zoo property.  That means building them a new enclosure.

As I've illustrated, this situation is the direct negligence of the San Francisco Zoological Society Board, and the City of San Francisco.  There is no way to go back in time and rewrite a history that has these entities show Our Zoo the care it needed to thrive into the future to this point in time.  BUT, these entities can do the right thing now.

The San Francisco Zoological Society Board, and the City of San Francisco, need to pony-up, and fund Our Lions a new enclosure on Zoo property.

This is what was originally outlined when news broke of the Lion House being used for Pandas.  

Considering if Our Zoo had been given the Cost of Living increases from 1993 to now, the current management fee would be $9.44 million.  The City has gotten away with basically withholding well over $80 million that could have greatly helped Our Zoo and greatly prevented the position it's now in.  

The position Our Lions are now in.

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> Previous Post:

Anti-Zoo Zealots Use Our Lions To Solicit Donations

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2026/09/anti-zoo-zealots-use-our-lions-to.html

> Related Posts:  Use Search tool in upper left corner, keyword  "Lions"

> Comments:  Note that Anonymous Comments are accepted.  I moderate all comments before publishing.  If you are using this form for a non-publish correspondence, please note "Personal" on it.  Thank you for your participation and/or feedback.

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Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I used to use (search) labels, but too often forget.  I started noting "Hot Topic" in title, but fell lax on that.  Now I'm just going to add labels, keywords, etc., here at the bottom with hashtags.  Does it help in searches, who knows.

#SanFrancisco , #SanFranciscoZoo , #Zoos #SanFranciscoZoologicalSociety  , #SanFranciscoZooCEODirectorCassandraCostello , #FormerSanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #FormerSanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed , #SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie , #AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence , #Pandas , #Bison ,  #Gorillas ,  #Lemurs , #Lions

 

Anti-Zoo Zealots Use Our Lions To Solicit Donations

Most days I don't set an alarm.  It's starting to seem like every time I do, for some reason I am still awake as time gets closer and closer to the bell.  So this morning, with the two hour window closing in, I opened Facebook and saw this post as the clock neared 4a.  Not what I needed on my mind.  And I certainly didn't want to write another blog post.

Considering I have written extensively about Our Lions eviction, some might say, Why does she care what others put forth about the same?  

I don't care if there's other thoughts and opinions, I care when I feel it comes from a place of bias.  By that, and specific to this group, I mean from people whose goal is rooted solely in an Anti-Zoo position.  While silent in recent months, this group and their allies came out of the woodwork in 2024 when media started exposing the mass mismanagement under former CEO/Director Tanya Peterson. They tried to ignite many stories with sensationalism, in an effort to build an army of supporters with the goal of getting Our Zoo closed.   

It is not my intention to rehash their faults, but to document an outrageous and misleading component to their latest campaign.  My issue in this, is not that there's a suggestion of Sanctuary for Jasiri and Lulu (Zoo name Marvella), I want them to live their lives wherever the best home is, where all their needs can be taken care of.

My issue is that this group is not only using Our Lions to solicit Donations, but for Anti-Zoo campaigns.  They state donations will, "support their work in this issue."   Yet when you click on the link to donate, it takes you to their main donation page, not one specifically for, "this issue".   And seriously, what would that look like anyway?  Are they planning to pay for relocation expenses?

I didn't get to finishing this post until now, nearing midnight (now, the next morning as I fell asleep while proof reading this).  I started it when I woke-up this morning, but then spent the time I had then,  researching the Sanctuary they have named.  Without going into detail, there are seemingly Pro's and Con's to this place.  I will share what I learned with Zoo Staff, in case they are considering this as an option, as something came up in my research, that may not have in theirs.  I dived deeper, and they should do the same, just to have full understanding.

That said, I just went to the post on In Defense Of Animals Facebook, to pull exact wording and screencaps to include here, and apparently they have blocked me.  I guess they didn't like my comment.  I always find it curious when entities can't handle the words of others, if they go against their agendas.

My words spoke truth.  

"Disgusting that IDA is using these Lions to solicit donations for their often misguided and misinformed Anti-Zoo campaigns."

Unfavorable Comment Submitted About New CEO/Director - My Reply

This comment was attached to my previous post.  As I wrote out my reply, it became pretty lengthy.  I replied in brief on that post, but decided to include my reply in full, in a stand-alone post.  I did so, not just because of the length, but because I have heard different opinions, ranging from those who aren't happy, but only have a couple things to note, to those who are on the fence, to those who are optimistic, and then there's me, who has had a lot to say, about a lot of things, both pro and con.  That said, this was the first that was completely unfavorable.  I'm curious how many others share this commenter's assessment?

Of course, most of my words have been expressed in previous posts, but  maybe there will be something new for someone.   As well I apologize to all, for times I digressed from just responding to the comment, to getting more blogg-y with my words.

Anonymous - Costello is a facelift. The aesthetic is slightly different, but the toxicity remains inside. Executive leadership remains inadequate and inefficient in animal welfare and workplace culture. They push all those with knowledge and qualifications out. You need to smile and agree with the bad decisions in order to fail upwards like the executives. Costello’s favorite word to use of late is “transparency” which is interesting considering she operates with just as much insincerity and duplicity as the previous under-qualified CEO. Shame. So many staff members are incredible, and the animals are amazing. It is a shame the zoo is still being poorly managed. No faith left.

@Anonymous -  Thank you for your comment.  I saw the email for moderation as I was closing up for the night.  I waited til morning to publish and reply, as coincidentally, I had just been in a messaging conversation in which the comparison between Cassandra and Tanya came up.  So, your comment was interesting timing, and contained some surprising words, and possibly some insight depending on where your feelings are rooted.  So, very much a welcomed additional take on How Cassandra is doing in her first year.  Your comment is actually the first seemingly completely unfavorable assessment that I've heard.  

Without having met Cassandra, I can only go by what I've seen.  I do not believe that she is anything like Tanya.  Tanya didn't care about Our Animals, Our Zoo, her Staff, or actually doing the job she was tasked with.  Same general lack of care still comes from the Board.  Cassandra seemingly cares, and that's a huge change.  It's a change that I think for the most part has created a better work environment.  I do think that morale and optimism may have possibly taken a bit of a dive among Staff, and certainly even lower with me, with some choices (Chimps and Lions) and direction the Zoo is going (Pandas).  

I fully realize and sympathize with the shit show she walked into, but it's been a year and there have been some huge bad decisions made, and not enough effort in trying to avoid making those decisions.  I speak specifically of evicting Our Chimpanzees and Our Lions.  

I see little things that are meaningful changes and additions, but I can think of more little things that would make a difference that haven't happened.  I know not everything can be fixed overnight, but come on, the perimeter fence thing!  Leaving a fallen fence in the front of the Zoo for six weeks, is just not right.  I don't discredit the different vibe or attention to trying, but for it being a year, I expect more.  I expect multi-tasking to up the level of Our Zoo in every way possible.  I am completely disappointed that one of the first priorities was not fundraising specifically for a new enclosure so we don't lose Our Lions.  Losing Our Chimpanzees and Lions is straight out of Tanya's playbook, and nothing in her plans should have been brought into the fold of new leadership.

I don't like that Our Chimpanzees are on the eviction list, but while I think there are ways to keep both, I think time is an issue for Lions and an easier project in regards to build time and cost, than Chimps and the Triple Grotto rebuild.  

After a year of searching, still no new home for Chimps has been found.  If same happens with Lions, maybe the time will soon come for the Board and City to invest in a new Lion enclosure, and rebuild on the Triple Grotto for Chimpanzees.  The Zoo has said both species will return (if they leave), but by my estimation, that realistically won't be for seven to twelve years.  It's the Board and City's fault Our Zoo sunk so low, they should be investing in these two current Residents now.  We would not be losing Our Chimps and Lions if the City had been paying the Zoo a management fee that included a yearly cost of living increase, and the Board had been appropriately managing Our Zoo.

So, time will tell many things in regard to the level of success Cassandra will have.  To date, I think she is just trying to hold it together.  Her to-do list seemingly looks like this...

1) Keep Zoo financially afloat.

2) Pass Accreditation

3) Bring in Pandas

The later is a sore point with near everyone, but there are two things to consider...

-Cassandra is seemingly mostly forging ahead with this because she has to.  The Board and Mayor are seemingly pushing for it.  As well most Officials think it will Save Our Zoo.

-My concern is after no one caring, and I'm specifically speaking to the Board, to work to Keep Our Chimps and Lions, Animals already living at Our Zoo, funds will have been wasted courting Pandas and none will arrive.  Just because they want them, and may well build for them, doesn't mean China will send them.

Yes, I agree, there is no change in transparency.  It started with the few media mentions alluding to Panda fundraising and timeline.  Then I began to see other topic evasion, with only alluding to the future, without actually divulging anything. Since, I learned that Zoos are basically gag ordered by China not to talk about Panda terms and process, there's nothing that could be done about that.  So, the public isn't going to know anything, until China actually says Yes, and that won't be until an enclosure is completely done, and inspected by Chinese Officials.  That could take years even though anytime Pandas are mentioned, the words read like they are coming soon.  

There are topics that I know not only myself, but others would like to know what the plan is, since there has been no mention of much of anything. So, lack of transparency seems to play a part in that aspect as well.  Holding things close to the vest as the saying goes, does not bode well for a public that has suffered through Tanya's destruction, and doesn't want to guess at what Our Zoo's future looks like.  It has been pointed out to me, that Cassandra has not done any real interviews.  Maybe she doesn't want to answer difficult or controversial questions?  If she does, I have a list!  

Dino's Extended - That Means No Access to WalkAbout+ Continues

Ugh, started my block of days IN for the weekend last night and realized not a thought for the blog!  It was a glorious thing.  It was short lived.

Interesting chain of events this morning.

9a - I was thinking of the date in relation to Dino's.  I didn't get to the Zoo this week, and realized the end of Dino's was Saturday, and that it could be a couple weeks of Dino take-down before I could visit Boomer (the Emu at WalkAbout).

10a - Zoo's email Newsletter with this comes through.

11a - A friend messaged me about this extension of Dino's.  

I'm all for attractions that are going to bring money into the Zoo, but in my opinion it's a problem when regularly included attractions, specifically Animal Enclosures, are closed to regular visitors.   

Before Dino's, I visited Boomer every week.  I hate to pick favorites, but he and Gauhati (One Horned Rhino), are mine.  These Friends have a piece of my heart.  As well, and I hate to even say this (but it is a thought during this restricted access), both are getting up in age and every visit is cherished.

When Dino's first started I planned out paying for it every few weeks for the three months, just so I could visit Boomer.  Now there's four more months?   

I'm sorry, but it's insanity that WalkAbout and Cassowary for that matter will continue to be closed.  Aside from my personal upset about diminished time with Boomer, that's seven months+, of two Animal Enclosures off view, in a place that already has a dwindling collection.

I had sent an email to Marketing suggesting they figure out something along the lines of free entry to those who have already paid, to be able access these Animal Enclosures.

Within today's announcement, it's noted that new Memberships will include tickets to Dino's.  I guess that something, but doesn't address the exclusion to those who are either already Zoo Members or are regular visitors with no Membership.   

Personally, I chose not to renew my Membership this year for a couple reasons.  I can't currently afford a full price Membership, and at the time, I wasn't sure what the future held for Our Zoo.  Since I have EBT, I chose to use the Museums For All discount instead.  My last Membership had a Community Discount that was 50% off Memberships.  That was doable, but they did away with it.  I'm two years from Senior level and next level is useless since I don't need a second card.  In my (selfish?) opinion, they are lacking an affordable level.  Maybe the Senior level should be Seniors and Singles!

Anyway, I got no problem with buying an EBT ticket, but would prefer to have a Membership.  YET, in the current issue with access to Boomer, that would still not help.

Those who have already paid (and repeatedly) for Dino's, visit regularly, and clearly have no need to see Dino's again and again, should be given access to WalkAbout and Cassowary.

Visiting Boomer week before last.   Spent a half hour with him, since it had been a few weeks.   For many years, he is used to seeing me every week, and I think he enjoys it.  No matter where in the enclosure he is, he comes down to me and just hangs out.   We have a routine and it's sad that I don't get to see him weekly.   And he don't understand why that is.

Anyway, this could just be my feelings since I'm so endeared to Boomer, but if you're bothered for some reason as well, and inclined, give a shout out, to the Zoo's... CEO/Director, Cassandra Costello ( cassandrac@sfzoo.org ) VP of Marketing, Paulo Vergara ( paulov@sfzoo.org ) and Director of Communication, Nancy Chan ( nancyc@sfzoo.org )

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> Previous Post:

Bison Paddock Update & Related Bullshit

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2026/09/bison-paddock-update-related-bullshit.html

> Comments:  Note that Anonymous Comments are accepted.  I moderate all comments before publishing.  If you are using this form for a non-publish correspondence, please note "Personal" on it.  Thank you for your participation and/or feedback.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I used to use (search) labels, but too often forget.  I started noting "Hot Topic" in title, but fell lax on that.  Now I'm just going to add labels, keywords, etc., here at the bottom with hashtags.  Does it help in searches, who knows.

#SanFrancisco , #SanFranciscoZoo , #Zoos #SanFranciscoZoologicalSociety  , #SanFranciscoZooCEODirectorCassandraCostello , #FormerSanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #FormerSanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed , #SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie , #AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence , #Pandas , #Bison ,  #Gorillas ,  #Lemurs , #Lions